Worth it as an East Zion outfitter—especially for the Observation Point shuttle or a booked guided tour—not as a walk-in park or a Springdale attraction. It works best if you have a car and book a specific activity in advance.
Book the Observation Point shuttle
Reserve the US$7 round-trip shuttle at least two weeks ahead, then use Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort as your start point rather than attempting muddy, high-clearance East Mesa roads in a standard rental car.
MoreDo not treat it as a park
There is no public East Zion Adventures admission gate, trail network, or self-guided attraction; access is free, but activities and the shuttle must be separately booked.
MoreDrive to Orderville, not Springdale
The base is at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort on Twin Knolls Road near Orderville, roughly 1–1½ hours by car from Springdale’s south entrance, with no direct public shuttle.
MoreStart Observation Point early
Take the earliest feasible shuttle for the largely unshaded East Mesa hike, allow 5–6 hours from the resort, and carry at least 2 liters of water per person.
MoreObservation Point Shuttle / East Mesa hike
~360 min · Book the US$7 round-trip shuttle; Zion National Park entrance pass is required for the hike.
Guided East Zion activities
Book a dated, timed Jeep, UTV, hiking, canyoneering, horseback, or stargazing product; confirm the departure location before paying.
| Monday | 8 AM – 7 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8 AM – 7 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM – 7 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM – 7 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM – 7 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM – 7 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM – 7 PM |
Hours from Google; check before you go.
East Zion Adventures is a commercial outdoor-activity operator based at/alongside Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort on Twin Knolls Road near Orderville, Utah (37.2708, -112.8765), not a public park in Springdale. On a 6,500-foot forested plateau by Zion National Park’s east side, it sells guided Jeep, UTV, horseback, hiking, canyoneering and stargazing outings, plus shuttle transport to the East Mesa/Stave Spring access for Observation Point. Its tours operate outside Zion National Park, and park admission is not included.
Its strongest use is as the practical access point for hiking to Observation Point via the gentler East Mesa route, avoiding difficult 4WD trailhead roads and the closed former connection from Zion Canyon. It also suits travelers who want a guided East Zion off-road, canyon, horseback, or night-sky outing rather than another crowded Zion Canyon day. Skip it if you are based in Springdale and mainly want classic canyon sights: it is roughly a 1–1½-hour drive from Springdale’s south entrance and is not a walk-in park or self-guided attraction.
Before you go
No. It is an adventure-tour operator based at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort on Twin Knolls Road near Orderville, Utah, on Zion’s east side—not a public park or a walkable Springdale attraction. It is about a 1–1½-hour drive from Springdale’s south entrance.
There is no park-entry ticket because there is no standalone public East Zion Adventures park. You only pay for a booked shuttle or guided activity. If you hike to Observation Point via East Mesa, you enter Zion National Park and need a separate NPS entrance pass.
Its most practical use is the Observation Point Shuttle: it avoids attempting the rough, often muddy 4WD approach to the East Mesa trailhead. It is also an option for guided Jeep, UTV, horseback, hiking, canyoneering, and stargazing outings outside Zion National Park.
Book directly at https://eastzionadventures.com/hiking-tours/observation-point-shuttle/. The round-trip shuttle starts at US$7 per person, is for ages 4+, and departs from Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. Book at least two weeks ahead where possible; confirm operation for your date in the booking calendar or call the operator, especially in winter, when service closes and resumes in March weather permitting. Free parking is available at Zion Ponderosa for booked shuttle users.
No. The shuttle is transportation only and does not include park admission. For the East Mesa/Observation Point hike, carry an NPS pass: Zion’s seven-day pass is US$35 per private vehicle, US$30 per motorcycle, or US$20 per pedestrian/bicycle; visitors age 15 and younger enter free.
Allow 5–6 hours from Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. This includes shuttle check-in and transfer, the roughly 0.5-mile walk from drop-off to the trailhead each way, the 6.8-mile East Mesa out-and-back hike, viewpoint time, and waiting for a return shuttle. The operator describes the full shuttle-based walk as about 8 miles round trip.